Network-capable docking station

Abstract

A method performed by a docking station operable in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes. The first interface may be configured to couple the docking station to a computing device, and the second interface may be configured to communicate with a network. The method may also include obtaining third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes. The method may further include selectively outputting the first data and the second data, or the third data, to a display based on whether the docking station operates in the first mode or the second mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 obtaining, by a docking station operating in a first mode of a plurality of modes, first data via a first interface of the docking station, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device;   obtaining, by the docking station operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes, second data via a second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; and   selectively outputting, to a display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode or the second mode, respectively, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first data and the second data comprises on-screen display data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first data and second data is overlayed on at least a portion of other data being displayed on the display. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining, by the docking station operating in a third mode of the plurality of modes, the first data from the first interface and the second data from the second interface; and   outputting, to the display via the third interface of the docking station, at least one of the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the third mode.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data comprises on-screen display data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data is overlayed on at least a portion of other data being displayed on the display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises a memory configured to store on-screen display data for output to the display via the third interface of the docking station. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data comprises at least one of text data, image data, or video data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining, via the second interface, at least one of a firmware or software update.   
     
     
         10 . A docking station, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the docking station to:
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a first mode of a plurality of modes, first data via a first interface of the docking station, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device; 
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes, second data via a second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; and 
 selectively output, to a display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode or the second mode, respectively, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station. 
   
     
     
         11 . The docking station of  claim 10 , wherein one of the first data and the second data comprises on-screen display data. 
     
     
         12 . The docking station of  claim 10 , wherein one of the first data and second data is overlayed on at least a portion of other data being displayed on the display. 
     
     
         13 . The docking station of  claim 10 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the docking station to:
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a third mode of the plurality of modes, the first data from the first interface and the second data from the second interface; and   output, to the display via the third interface of the docking station, at least one of the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the third mode.   
     
     
         14 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data comprises on-screen display data. 
     
     
         15 . The docking station of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data is overlayed on at least a portion of other data being displayed on the display. 
     
     
         16 . The docking station of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is further configured to store on-screen display data for output to the display via the third interface of the docking station. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 a display; and   a docking station coupled to the display, the docking station being configured to:
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a first mode of a plurality of modes, first data via a first interface of the docking station, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device; 
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes, second data via a second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; and 
 selectively output, to the display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode or the second mode, respectively, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first data or the second data comprises on-screen display data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the docking station comprises a memory configured to store on-screen display data for output to the display via the third interface of the docking station. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the docking station is further configured to:
 obtain, by the docking station operating in a third mode of the plurality of modes, the first data from the first interface and the second data from the second interface; and   output, to the display via the third interface of the docking station, at least one of the first data or the second data in response to the docking station operating in the third mode.